TREATMENT OF EPIDERMAL PIGMENTED LESIONS WITH THE FREQUENCY-DOUBLED Q-SWITCHED ND-YAG LASER - A CONTROLLED, SINGLE-IMPACT, DOSE-RESPONSE, MULTICENTER TRIAL

Background and Design: The removal of benign, aesthetically important, pigmented lesions can be effectively treated with multiple modalities. Selective removal of the pigment by lasers is becoming increasingly popular. A three-center trial evaluated the effectiveness of the frequency-doubled Q-switched neodymium (Nd): YAG laser (532 nm, 2.0-mm spot size, 10 nanoseconds) in removing benign epidermal pigmented lesions with a single treatment. Forty nine patients were treated for multiple lentigines (n=37), for cafe au lait macules (n=7), and for miscellaneous lesions (n=5). Treatment areas were divided into four quadrants, irradiated with fluences of 2, 3, 4, or 5J/cm(2) and evaluated at 1- and 3-month intervals following treatment. Results: For lentigines, response was related to dose with a greater than 75% pigment removal achieved in 60% of those lesions treated at higher energy fluences. Responses were more variable with other lesions, with fair-to-good improvement noted in most cases. Mild, transient erythema; hypopigmentation; and hyperpigmentation were noted in several patients, but resolved spontaneously within 3 months. No other textural changes, scarring, or other side effects were noted. Conclusion: The frequency-doubled Q-switched Nd: YAG laser (532 nm) safely and effectively treats benign epidermal pigmented lesions.